The All-America defender who led UCLA to a national title last season was chosen with the No. 3 overall pick Friday at the National Women’s Soccer League draft in Philadelphia. The Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton grad is headed to the Western New York Flash, which plays its home games in Rochester.

“I’m just super excited to get started with the Flash and get ready for the season,” Dahlkemper said following the draft in an interview reported on the team’s website. “I’m looking forward to being able to play, practice and keep getting better in a great environment.”

Dahlkemper started all but one game in her four-year career in Westwood. She was a finalist for national player of the year as a junior and a semifinalist as a senior. She named All-America by the nation’s college coaches all four years at UCLA. She capped her career by being named the National Scholar All-America Player of the Year as a senior.

Three Stanford players — Chioma Ubogagu, Lo’eau LaBonta and Kendall Romine — were selected in the fourth round. Ubogagu and LaBonta both went to New Jersey-based Sky Blue, where they will join former Stanford stars Kelley O’Hara and Cami Levin, and former Cardinal assistant coach Jay Cooney. Romine, a central defender, was selected by the Seattle Reign.

Ubogagu scored 10 goals and had seven assists while serving as a captain on a 2014 Stanford team that advanced to the NCAA College Cup semifinals and finished with a 20-2-3 record. She finished her Stanford career as a four-time All-Pac-12 selection, including two selections to the first team, and is No. 10 on Stanford’s all-time points list (89).

LaBonta had a breakthrough 2014 season, leading the team in goals (13) and points (31). Her goals more than doubled her total of her previous three seasons (9). LaBonta scored seven game-winners, including two in overtime. She was named to the NSCAA All-America second team.

Romine, like Ubogagu, was a starter on Stanford’s 2011 NCAA championship team. She has already earned her master’s in international relations.

Stanford was among three schools to have at least three players selected, along with UCLA and Texas A&M.

Santa Clara University’s Sofia Huerta was taken with the 11th pick in the first round by the Chicago Red Stars.

Virginia’s Morgan Brian was the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Dash. Two of Dahlkemper’s UCLA teammates went second (midfielder Sarah Killion) and fourth (midfielder Samantha Mewis). The nine-team NWSL begins its third season in April.

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